Pine cones

How do they know, how can they in their little pine cone state know when to be open and when to be closed. I know they don't all get it right but the woods the last couple of days I have seen barely any that where open but the ones I have collected for the fire that are indoors are all open - how?
Well on to other things here are some pictures of the wood's in the rain.

isn't it pretty with all the little rain drops just sitting there, almost as good as in the winter when the snow sits on the branches.

and I know its rain not dew but I love spiders webs when they are like this or frosted on the cold autumn mornings.